A separatist group calling for Cornish independence has claimed responsibility for firebombing a restaurant and claims it has its first member willing to die for the cause.

The Cornish Republican Army, previously known as the Cornish National Liberation Army, said it set Rick Stein Porthleven on fire on June 12, in anger about the celebrity chef having such a presence in the area.

In a blog post, which has since been removed, they said: ‘Our organisation has grown and we now have one member who is prepared to pay the ultimate price in the battle for Kernow.

‘She is prepared to sacrifice herself although we shall not ask for this lightly – only as a last measure.’

Celtic Cross flag that the Cornish National Movement has adopted to represent their cause

The statement said their next move would be to attack second homes owned by affluent people from the rest of the UK – a source of resentment as it creates ‘ghost towns’ and local people may not be able to get on the property ladder.

Rick Stein has opened several restaurants in Cornwall, leading to Padstow being nicknamed ‘Padstein’. His Porthlevan restaurant was badly damaged by fire but survived the blaze which started where gas cylinders were being stored.

In their statement, the CRA claimed to have 30 volunteers in Active Service Units.